Sophie Webster will remain on Coronation Street as Brooke Vincent signs new contract
Bosses feared star would take a break from the show so are delighted she will continue her stint as soap wildchild
BROOKE VINCENT has been on Coronation Street’s cobbles for 12 years now.
But she is going for an unlucky 13 - as she’s signed a brand new contract.
Brooke, who plays former wildchild SOPHIE WEBSTER, has signed a one-year deal to keep her in Weatherfield until at least February next year.
It comes with bosses fearing she might finally walk away from the soap after having her head turned by theatre roles.
She has already bagged her first in Be My Baby - playing 19-year-old young mum Mary Adams - and will take an eight-week break later this year for the play at Manchester’s Lowry Theatre.
A telly source said: “Corrie bosses love Brooke and were worried she might be ready to take a break from the show.
“But they’re delighted she’s signed on the dotted line again as they have much more in store for her character.
“She loves theatre and it is something she wants to explore further. She can’t wait to show her skills off in Be My Baby.”
In her role on the show she’s been a born-again Christian, has had lesbian relationships and fought constantly with on-screen sister Rosie - played by HELEN FLANAGAN.
She’s certainly versatile.
Pam was lifting spirits
PAT Butcher returned as a ghost for Peggy Mitchell’s death in EastEnders this week.
But actress PAM ST CLEMENT didn’t see anything wrong with her slightly-ridiculous comeback as she is convinced she has come face-to-face with spooky spirits in real life.
Asked if she has ever had contact with a ghoul, she admitted: “I’ve seen one, yeah.”
Pam, whose character was killed off on New Year’s Day 2012, thought it was the perfect way to send off the Enders matriarch, played by DAME BARBARA WINDSOR.
However even she was confused whether she was a ghost or her presence was something imagined by Peggy.
Speaking on BBC special Peggy Mitchell: Last Orders, Pam said: “Well the approach is to say, right, I am appearing. Am I appearing as an independent Pat? Am I a figment of Peggy’s imagination? I had to speak to the director about that.
“It had to be Pat as you would expect a ghost to be, which is to my mind, an impression, a photograph on the atmosphere, and that’s what Pat was.”
After 22 years on the soap, Peggy’s last episode saw her and Pat chain-smoking cigarettes while they sat throwing light-hearted insults each other.
They couldn’t have done her final scenes any other way.
Soapbox
Can CORONATION STREET’s Carla Connor keep her one night stand with Robert Preston a dirty little secret as she prepares to ditch the cobbles for married life in Devon?
That’s the question on everyone’s lips as Underworld owner (Alison King) continues to be blackmailed by a jealous Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) in tonight’s episode.
Tracy approaches a frustrated Carla and spitefully reminds her if she fails to keep her side of the bargain, she’ll blab to Carla’s fiancé Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickitt).
It seems as though Carla’s relationship with Nick is doomed.
Over on EMMERDALE, Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) loses his temper with a social worker this evening.
Will matters get even worse for him as a result?